Topper Midland Traveller at Sandwell Valley Sailing Club

by N.C.Parkes 8 Jun 2003 18:46 BST

7th June 2003

Sandwell Valley Sailing Club welcomed 13 sailors for the first Midland Traveller of June and the first for 4 years at SVSC.

A force 3 south westerley enabled race officer John Mills to use all buoys and the race started on time. 1st sailor to the windward mark was Andrew Audley (44729) followed by Heather Starling (44818) and Martin Evans (44801). Andrew dominated the race and an interesting race was developing behind with ex Senior World Champion Barry White (31800) moving into 2nd place for some of the race but he had to settle for 3rd place behind Andrew Audley and Heather Starling. The committee wish to express their thanks to Ben Woodall (40843) for his honest comments.

Similiar conditons greeted sailors for the second race and so followed a similar pattern with Andrew Audley having a 2 leg lead 3/4 through the race but some determined sailing by Martin Evans eventually leading to a tight finish with Andrew just crossing the line 1st with Heather Starling in 3rd place. In his 1st open Thomas Cullis (44531) was 4th.

A different course for the 3rd race but Andrew, Martin and Heather always were the leading trio and this is how they finished after great racing.

Trophies were presented to 1st 3, 1st Senior B.White, Junior T.Cullis and U-12 Jessica Dawkes (44128) and thanks was expressed to organisers of the open.

Overall Results:

Pos	Boat Type	Sail No	Helm	Club
1st	Topper	44729	A.Audley	Redditch
2nd	Topper	44801	M.Evans	Redditch
3rd	Topper	41818	H.Starling	Shustoke
4th	Topper	31800	B.White	SVSC
5th	Topper	44531	T.Cullis	SVSC